State of Grace (Complete)

Here Comes the Bride

As it gets closer to spring, around the same time Mrs. Reed starts wedding planning, Ian starts picking fights at recess and just being bad. He spends more and more time at home either hiding in the treehouse in the freezing cold or sulking in the basement. It's hard work, but I keep him out of big trouble most days.

"Gracie, I have a favour to ask you." Mrs. Reed stops me on the way to their basement.

"Sure, Mrs. Reed. What can I do?" I am always eager to help her.

"First of all, since I'm marrying Steve, I won't be Mrs. Reed anymore."

"I know." I think for a second, "What's Steve's last name?"
"Kazinsky, but I think it will be easier if you just call me Andrea." She smiles at me.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, but here's what I was really going to ask you...will you be the flower girl?"

"Me. Really?" I am beyond thrilled.

"Yes, you. Normally you ask someone in your family, and you are like a member of the family, Grace."

"Thanks you, Mrs... I mean Andrea!" I give her a hug and run down to share the news with the boys. They're both groomsmen, so we're all going to be in the wedding!

"Guess what! I'm going to be the flower girl! I'm going to have a beautiful dress and flowers and I can sit with you guys for the dinner!"

"That's awesome!" Chris says enthusiastically.

"Why don't you just leave, Grace. We don't need anyone else trying to steal our family away. We already have Steve pushing his way in, I don't need another stupid sister!" Ian is vicious and my excitement is killed in a moment.

"Fine, Ian, I will leave. I know when I'm not wanted." I'm too hurt to try and reason with him.

I turn to go and Ian shouts after me, "No you don't Grace. You never know. You're not wanted at your house and you aren't wanted here either." I run through their house and out the door. I don't stop until I get to my room and throw myself on the bed. My heart is broken into a million pieces. I know I'm not wanted, I try and try to be good and helpful and yet, Daddy's still never home and Mommy just wants me to leave her alone. She spends most of her time holed up in her room. I didn't mean to intrude on the Reeds' life, they always invite me, and as much as I've wished for a million times to be part of their family, I know I'm not, even though they've always made me feel welcome. Well, until today.

For the next few weeks, Ian holds his grudge and I've gotten very good at ignoring him. I walk to and from school with Chris and at recess, I play with some of the girls. Melody and I always get along, and as well as Audra, even though she's the one who stuck gum in my hair last year. As the weather gets nicer, we play outside a lot more and I even have playdates with them. Mommy is happy to let me be a flower girl, but she's also thrilled that I am hanging out with some girls. They are great, but it's not the same. I miss my best friends.

"Grace, it's time for your dress fitting." Mrs Reed, I mean Andrea, calls to me from across the fence. "Come on over, we have to go." I was playing on my swing all by myself, so it takes me just a second to hop over the fence.

Maggie, Andrea and I are going to the wedding dress store to get our dresses altered so they fit perfectly. "Why haven't we seen you around as much?" Maggie asks as we get into the car.

"She and Ian are in a fight," Andrea informs her.

"Really?"

"No, well, I didn't fight. Ian's mad at me, though. He was angry that I was excited at being in the wedding."